Castillonnes travel guide
Visit Castillonnes (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France)
Photo Gallery Book a visitThe market town of Castillonnes is about 25 kilometres south of Bergerac and in the northern Lot-et-Garonne department of south-west of France. It is one of the many small and attractive bastide towns in the region.
Castillonnes has avoided becoming part of the tourist trail and so even in the summer it remains a peaceful, working French town.
Explore Castillonnes
France This Way review: although Castillonnes lacks the immediate charm of some of its neighbours such as Villereal or Monflanquin, and in truth a visit doesn't take very long, it is still a pleasant town to visit when you are in the region.
Castillonnes dates its founding back to 1259 though before this there was a castle already here. The bastide town was built under the orders of Alphonse de Poitiers.
The centre of Castillonnes is based around the Place des Cornieres where the attractive town hall dominates one whole side of the square. This building originally housed a religious order linked to the abbey of Cadouin.
Much of the building was the tithe barn, housing the rents and tithes of the tenant farmers. These would be paid in the form of sacks of grain and casks of wine. It is now home to the Mairie and the Tourist Office.
On another corner of the same square is the church, much of which is fairly new as earlier versions were destroyed in the Hundred Years War and the War of Religions. Inside there is an 18th century Gothic altar and some attractive modern stained glass windows.
Adjoining the church is a presbytery dating from the 18th century. Take a look in its garden to see its unusual hexagonal tower.
This square has recently been transformed and much of the car parking has been replaced with an attractive tiled floor and large modern planters filled with grasses and flowers and with benches for seating. It is very pretty.
The main street leading out from the Place des Cornieres is the Grande Rue. Every Tuesday morning an excellent market fills the Grand Rue and the Place des Cornieres.
Leaving the square on the other side is the Rue de Petit Paris and during the 18th and 19th centuries most of the local noble families had winter houses here. One of these, the Maison de cours de Thomazeau is now a Historic Monument. It was designed by the architect of the fabulous theatre in Bordeaux.
Castillonnes is situated on a hill and at the end of the Rue du Petit Paris are some impressive views over the Lot et Garonne countryside
The Rue de Guirlity leads to remains of the 16th century ramparts and steep steps lead down to one of the old gateways that originally allowed access to the town. Another can be seen just a little to the left.
Another road leading out from the square, the Rue de la Paix has a house with a "pontet" extending over the road. The Hotel des Remparts is on this street. It is a nice hotel and was originally a house owned by Baron de Beraud.
On the corner of the square with the rue du Lion d'Or is the oldest building in Castillonnes. It is 14th century and has some gothic-style twin windows and at the end a half-timbered building quite common in this part of Lot et Garonne.
Attractions near Castillonnes
You are quite spoiled for choice in this region, with several attractive market towns in close proximity. Among the most popular are Issigeac to the north, Eymet to the west and Villereal to the east of Castillonnes.
Also very attractive and well worth visiting is the town of Bergerac, a short distance to the north.
Explore elsewhere in the Dropt Valley. You can find more travel ideas in the Lot-et-Garonne guide and the Aquitaine guide.
Photos of Castillonnes
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Map of Castillonnes and places nearby
Visit near Castillonnes with France This Way reviews
Issigeac
The historic small town of Issigeac has many lovely old houses and the most famous Sunday market in the Dordogne
Issigeac guide
Lauzun
Lauzun has a small castle, but ist main interest is its position in the valley of the Dropt River and the attractions nearby
Lauzun guide
Villereal
Villereal is one of our favourite medieval bastide towns, with an impressive wooden market hall occupying the centre of the main market square
Villereal guide
Eymet
The bastide town of Eymet,south of Bergerac, has some lovely medieval houses and an attractive seting on the Dropt river
Eymet guide
Chateau de Bridoire
Visit the Chateau de Bridoire, a medieval chateau with lots of games for all the family.
Chateau de Bridoire guide
Monbazillac
Monbazillac is home to the Chateau de Monbazillac, famous producer of sweet white wines
Monbazillac guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Lot-et-Garonne
Address: Castillonnès, Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Aquitaine, 47330, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.653056, longitude 0.5925
Plan your visit to Castillonnes, Lot-et-Garonne
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Parc et potager de Pouthet: remarkable garden (15 km)
- Monflanquin: most beautiful village (19 km)
- Eglise Sainte-Croix (Beaumont-du-Perigord): religious monument (21 km)
- Saint-Avit Eglise (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (22 km)
- Bergerac: ville fleurie 4* (23 km)
- Monpazier: secteur sauvegarde (24 km)
- Eglise de Sainte Livrade (Sainte-Livrade-sur-Lot): religious monument (28 km)
- Le-Buisson-de-Cadouin eglise abbatiale (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (28 km)
- Pujols: most beautiful village (31 km)
- Ets Latour-Marliac: remarkable garden (31 km)
- Eglise de Saint-Hilaire et Eglise de Saint-Nicholas (Tremolat): religious monument (31 km)
- Jardin de Planbuisson: remarkable garden (33 km)
Market days in Castillonnes, France
A seasonal market is held in Castillonnes on Friday.
Regular market(s) are held in Castillonnes each Tuesday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Castillonnes (Francais)